June 2017

EQUESTRIAN NEWS
by Donice Muccio
The Battle for Mykey
This is a happy story that could have turned out much
differently. One of our beloved horses, Keymando, known
around the barn as “Mykey”, walked out of his stall one
day as if he was walking on eggshells. This frightening sign
began a journey that took many months, close to a year, to
bring him back to a healthy, productive life.
Mykey was diagnosed with laminitis. Laminitis is an extremely
painful hoof disease that in his case was most likely brought
on by Cushing’s disease, which is excess cortisol. We
immediately called the vet, iced his legs and hoofs (sometimes
up to four times a day), changed his diet, as well as giving him
anti-inflammatory medications for pain. When I saw the X-rays
of his hoof I just stared and cried then immediately went into
‘how will we save him?’ mode.
Many famous horses have been euthanized from
complications of laminitis, including two famous racehorses,
Secretariat and Barbaro. Based on knowing that, our hopes
were cautiously optimistic. It was eight months of agony,
watching Mykey go up and down with severe pain and trying
to take the emotions away to say “enough is enough, it is over,”
was difficult. With the care from our vet, Dr. Glenn Gillard, and
our farrier, Albert Gomez, one day the agony was over. It was a
M Come
aking Horse Dreams
True Since 1999
Now taking reservations
for Summer Break Camp
surprising day when Mykey walked out of the stall like a normal
horse. Each day he was stronger. He went back to work very
slowly. We kept waiting for a setback but he was back. Mykey
is a National Show Horse and he went to a show in April with
Greer Monfries and won a class and the rest were second
place.
The Animal Health Foundation has suggested that horses
that are more prone to laminitis are all pony breeds, Arabians,
American Saddlebreds, and Quarter horses. Mykey is a cross
between an Arabian and American Saddlebred. The Animal
Health Foundation has set up a donation wall for laminitis
research. You can donate to the foundation and your horse’s
name may be placed on the wall along with many of the great
horses that have succumbed to this disease.
If you are a horse owner or plan on purchasing a horse or
pony, speak to your vet and get educated about the different
things you can do over the course of its life to help prevent
this from ever happening. There are actually many things that
can cause it, including obesity, and sometimes there are no
answers. In doing my research and speaking to my vet, it is
puzzling about why some horses survive and live a happy life
and others fight like a warrior but still succumb to this disease.
We do not take one day for granted when Mykey trots to his
stall door to go out and play. He is very loved and certainly
very special. P
Correct, safe
riding lessons in a
relaxed, encouraging
environment for
children and adults,
beginner through
advanced.
Excellent References Upon Request
Horse Shows • Boarding
Horse Leasing Available for Advanced Riders
M alachi Acres
954-255-7185 (barn) • 954-464-1239 (mobile)
4701 Godfrey Rd., Coral Springs/Parkland, FL 33067
Located off Wiles Rd. • www.malachiacres.com
FB... Malachi Acres Riding Academy and Full Board
Greer Monfries rides Mykey. Photo by Debbie Grahl
P
106
JUNE 2017